Histioteuthis heteropsis(Berry 1913)

Introduction

H. heteropsis is similar to its closest relative, H. meleagroteuthis, in the uniform, dense pattern of complex photophores on the head, arms IV and the mantle but lacks tubercules. This species is common off the coast of Southern California (USA) and has been observed from submersibles many times. It is lethargic in response to disturbance by an ROV; movements are slow and deliberate, even when jetting, inking is rarely observed (Hunt, 1966). The geographical distribution is unusual in that two separate populations exist one in the North Pacific and one in the South Pacific (antitropical distribution). It is found in temperate regions on the eastern side of the Pacific. Off southern California it occupies mesopelagic depths during the day and migrates vertically at night, presumably to feed. Maximum recorded size is 132 mm ML (Voss, et al., 1998).

Life History

Behavior

Little is know about how squids close their eyelids, including a rapid blink, or the differences that seem to exist among taxa. Below is an in situ photographic record of a blink of the large left eye of H. heteropsis. Note that the closing mechanism seems to be complex and that the eyelid is completely closed.

Distribution

Vertical distribution

These data from a vertical distribution study off Southern California shows that H. heteropsis migrates vertically from over 400 m during the day into the upper 400 m at night (Roper and Young, 1975.).

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Figure. Chart of the vertical distribution of H. heteropsis, California waters. Captures were made with open 3-m trawls. Blue color - Night captures. Yellow color - Day captures. Lighter hues - Correction factor to adjust for unequal trawling time at each depth. Chart modified from Roper and Young (1975).

Geographical distribution

Type locality: Eastern North Pacific, off Santa Barbara Island. H. heteropsis is common in the California Current system between 24° and 45° N. It is also common in the Peru-Chile Current system between 30° and 36° S. In tropical waters it is generally replaced by its close relative, H. meleagroteuthis, although a single record (00° 38'S, 89° 29'W) is known from equatorial waters (Voss, et al., 1998).

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Histioteuthis heteropsis(Berry 1913).
Authored by
Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione.
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